The Marlin 39 Club
- Thread starter AStone
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rromeo
Member
So I really enjoy shooting this. Popping a keg at 75 yards with subsonics is just tons of fun. I just don't get tired of Thwoop, wait, ding. Thwoop, wait, ding.
rromeo
Member
Pardon me, I got the 1950. The wood is absolutely perfect. The bluing is mostly great, but light in a two small areas.
dfariswheel
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 6,656
Bad day shooting, or Stan and Olie at the farm.
Saturday I went shooting with my nephew at a farm, both of us bringing Marlin's.
He had his late dads Marlin 39M carbine, and I had my rebuilt 1950 39-A.
BOTH OF US were having double feed stoppages, we kept dropping ammo and tools, in general looked like a pair of boobs.
My double feed was caused by the cartridge stop being bent and failing to stop the cartridges.
I disassembled the rifle and bent the stop back into place.
I haven't really shot the rifle that much but had no issues until now.
I'm hoping that it was just a case of years of use and me not noticing it was too low because this is the old forged steel stop that doesn't use the spacer or the stamped steel stop and there just aren't any available.
My nephew disassembled his 39-M and found it dirty inside, apparently his dad never cleaned it.
After reassembly it still double fed so he disassembled it again and had me take a look.
I pressed down on the cartridge stop to test tension and immediately found the problem.
The stop would not spring back up.
This is a pointer for Marlin owners who have cause to disassemble the cartridge stop.
When you tighten the stop screw the stop will rotate slightly in it's recess in the receiver wall and the stop will catch on the side of the recess.
This prevents the stop from spring back up once pressed down.
The fix Saturday was to use a small pocket screwdriver to rotate the stop down slightly so it would clear the side of the recess.
When I reassemble a Marlin I either put a small piece of shim stock or the blade of a small screwdriver into the recess above the stop while I tighten the screw.
This prevents the stop from rotating and getting caught on the recess side.
This, however, did not cure the dropping of ammo and tools or just plain lousy shooting. We're both out of practice.
Saturday I went shooting with my nephew at a farm, both of us bringing Marlin's.
He had his late dads Marlin 39M carbine, and I had my rebuilt 1950 39-A.
BOTH OF US were having double feed stoppages, we kept dropping ammo and tools, in general looked like a pair of boobs.
My double feed was caused by the cartridge stop being bent and failing to stop the cartridges.
I disassembled the rifle and bent the stop back into place.
I haven't really shot the rifle that much but had no issues until now.
I'm hoping that it was just a case of years of use and me not noticing it was too low because this is the old forged steel stop that doesn't use the spacer or the stamped steel stop and there just aren't any available.
My nephew disassembled his 39-M and found it dirty inside, apparently his dad never cleaned it.
After reassembly it still double fed so he disassembled it again and had me take a look.
I pressed down on the cartridge stop to test tension and immediately found the problem.
The stop would not spring back up.
This is a pointer for Marlin owners who have cause to disassemble the cartridge stop.
When you tighten the stop screw the stop will rotate slightly in it's recess in the receiver wall and the stop will catch on the side of the recess.
This prevents the stop from spring back up once pressed down.
The fix Saturday was to use a small pocket screwdriver to rotate the stop down slightly so it would clear the side of the recess.
When I reassemble a Marlin I either put a small piece of shim stock or the blade of a small screwdriver into the recess above the stop while I tighten the screw.
This prevents the stop from rotating and getting caught on the recess side.
This, however, did not cure the dropping of ammo and tools or just plain lousy shooting. We're both out of practice.
Fast Frank
Member
dfariswheel said:
Man, I hear you on that one.
I'm not sure I remember what end of the rifle the sights are on.
I snagged a 550 round box of Winchester 36gr hollowpoints and locked it in the safe Saturday.
It appears that ammo is coming back, but it's not available enough yet that I feel OK with just burning it up like I used to.
And that's a crying shame. Shooting is a perishable skill. If I don't use it, I lose it.
It wasn't too long ago that I was judging distances, estimating drop, holding over just so and smacking targets at all sorts of ranges like I knew what I was doing.
I'm not so sure I could pull that off today. The little bit I have practiced this year just isn't enough to keep that skill sharp.
And I'm a little annoyed at our... On second thought, I'll leave the political comment out. You guys know what happened and who caused it.
Let's just hope that no more crazy events appear on the news so we can get back to enjoying our selves and get back in practice.
Life is too short to waste it away over fear and stupidity.
Fast Frank
Member
Well, isn't this interesting...
I found a collection of the writings of Jeff Cooper online, and have been slowly cruising my way through them.
For those of you that might not know, Cooper was considered by many to be "The Father Of The Modern Technique".
He believed in shooting the .45 auto with a two handed grip and taught that skill at a school he founded called Gunsight.
He wrote an article that was in the back of Guns And Ammo magazine called "Cooper's Corner", and that's where the writings I found originated.
Jeff Cooper wrote "The Four Rules", That many people still go by today for gun safety.
So... many people believe that Cooper was an expert in all things about guns, and quote his opinion like it was gospel.
Here's a Jeff Cooper quote I would like to share with the club:
I couldn't agree more.
I found a collection of the writings of Jeff Cooper online, and have been slowly cruising my way through them.
For those of you that might not know, Cooper was considered by many to be "The Father Of The Modern Technique".
He believed in shooting the .45 auto with a two handed grip and taught that skill at a school he founded called Gunsight.
He wrote an article that was in the back of Guns And Ammo magazine called "Cooper's Corner", and that's where the writings I found originated.
Jeff Cooper wrote "The Four Rules", That many people still go by today for gun safety.
So... many people believe that Cooper was an expert in all things about guns, and quote his opinion like it was gospel.
Here's a Jeff Cooper quote I would like to share with the club:
Jeff Cooper said:
I couldn't agree more.
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rromeo
Member
It took me long enough to figure it out, but I also agree.
As a semi rural person, the guns I have had to use on my property have been .22s. A rabid skunk was no problem for my Marlin 60, some ill-tempered possums met my Win 72. I almost can't wait to take on the next small animal terror with my 39.
As a semi rural person, the guns I have had to use on my property have been .22s. A rabid skunk was no problem for my Marlin 60, some ill-tempered possums met my Win 72. I almost can't wait to take on the next small animal terror with my 39.
Fast Frank
Member
I'm sorry.
What was I thinking? I found that Jeff Cooper stuff, told you guys about it, and didn't even think to share.
Click the link below.
In light of the above quote, I vote that we make Jeff Cooper our first posthumous member.
http://myweb.cebridge.net/mkeithr/Jeff/
What was I thinking? I found that Jeff Cooper stuff, told you guys about it, and didn't even think to share.
Click the link below.
In light of the above quote, I vote that we make Jeff Cooper our first posthumous member.
http://myweb.cebridge.net/mkeithr/Jeff/
teetertotter
Member
Had my 5 year old 39a in storage for 3 years as had intermittent FTF. This past Saturday, a club member, who is a gunsmith as sideline business, took my rifle home to fix it. He called me 3 days later and said it's fixed. He fired it a couple times in the basement to show me the strike mark on brass shell casing. Much Much better. Said the hammer was not moving forward completely all the way.
It is nice to have it working properly. Cost was $20.00 and gas money. It has a Simons 6.5-20X44 Dot reticle on top.
It was my first rifle. I chose it over the Henry. My 39a is most accurate with consistency using Aquila Match Rifle out to 100m. It will get some use next summer and maybe some winter indoor paper practice. The action is so smooth plus has 2# 8oz trigger pull. So nice!
It is nice to have it working properly. Cost was $20.00 and gas money. It has a Simons 6.5-20X44 Dot reticle on top.
It was my first rifle. I chose it over the Henry. My 39a is most accurate with consistency using Aquila Match Rifle out to 100m. It will get some use next summer and maybe some winter indoor paper practice. The action is so smooth plus has 2# 8oz trigger pull. So nice!
teetertotter
Member
We have our "SB Silhouette Frosty Iron Challenge," January 25, and I might just bring the 39a. I plan to go to the range today to sight-in. Then go indoor for 50ft to sight in. We have people that drive almost 2 hours to participate and hoping the fellow in IA, will join us. We do get the word out and then from the money collected, we have pizza and soda at Pizza Hut. We have a couple classifications by age and gender for the unclassified and they will receive pins for Match Winner, Ist, 2nd and 3rd.
We really make it a fun event! We shoot 40 rounds and the temps are usually in the 20's. Looking at some of the participants, could be mistaken for Cowboy Action group.
Well.......almost.
We really make it a fun event! We shoot 40 rounds and the temps are usually in the 20's. Looking at some of the participants, could be mistaken for Cowboy Action group.
Well.......almost.
Fast Frank
Member
Ragweed said:
Welcome to the club.
You are going to enjoy that rifle. Hope there's ammo available where you are.
Fast Frank
Member
teetertotter said:
I suppose up there in Wisconsin that's considered "Normal Weather", but for us Texans that's WAY too cold for a shooting match!
I can't imagine trying to shoot a good group while my teeth are rattling from the shivers!
You, Sir have my utmost respect. Good luck!
teetertotter
Member
Ragweed, Welcome aboard. How did you acquire your 39a?
teetertotter
Member
FF, It does take a tremendous amount of courage! Fortunately we are in the southern most part of the state. One fellow gets his work hours in by showing up with his ATV with front blade, in case of last minute emergency. Only a blizzard cancels this event.
One fellow gets his work hours in by showing up with his ATV with front blade, in case of last minute emergency. Only a blizzard cancels this event.Fella's;
Hah! I went elk hunting this morning. Drove up into the mountains, got outta the truck & the inside thermometer (which isn't terribly accurate) did say fourteen degrees below zero. And no, I didn't take my model 39a, but I do have to mention it to keep on track with the thread. So I'll see yer 20 above & invite you to Montana for a winter shoot. I even insulated my shooting benches, surrounded them with hay, tarped 'em down & put 'em to bed for the winter.
900F
Hah! I went elk hunting this morning. Drove up into the mountains, got outta the truck & the inside thermometer (which isn't terribly accurate) did say fourteen degrees below zero. And no, I didn't take my model 39a, but I do have to mention it to keep on track with the thread. So I'll see yer 20 above & invite you to Montana for a winter shoot. I even insulated my shooting benches, surrounded them with hay, tarped 'em down & put 'em to bed for the winter.
900F
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AStone
Member
I remember the first elk I took with my 39A.
...
...
...
No, wait. That must've been a larger caliber.
...
...
...
No, wait. That must've been a larger caliber.
texasred777
Member
Not cold in Texas?
I've been deer hunting when it was pretty chilly! Once close to Golson, just north of Waco, I went with a friend into a clump of cedars about 11 a.m. The temp was in the mid to upper 20s and the ground was frosty. I remember laying on my stomach under a cedar tree that had limbs reaching the ground. At least that helped with the breeze that was blowing. We didn't stay but about an hour and a half. Didn't see any deer, although there were numerous tracks. (Probably wrong time of the day, OR the deer were smart enough to hunker down and stay warm.
Also spent a weekend over close to Fairfield. The deer were plentiful; but the weather was cloudy, breezy, and morning temps in the upper teens to lower 20s.
Don't tell me that it don't get cold in Texas!!! Of course, I remember being outside on Christmas with no jacket on because it was so warm!
Oh, I plan to take the 39a out in a few more days. I found some .22 sub-sonics at WalMart about a week ago. Limit was 3 boxes of 50.
I've been deer hunting when it was pretty chilly! Once close to Golson, just north of Waco, I went with a friend into a clump of cedars about 11 a.m. The temp was in the mid to upper 20s and the ground was frosty. I remember laying on my stomach under a cedar tree that had limbs reaching the ground. At least that helped with the breeze that was blowing. We didn't stay but about an hour and a half. Didn't see any deer, although there were numerous tracks. (Probably wrong time of the day, OR the deer were smart enough to hunker down and stay warm.
Also spent a weekend over close to Fairfield. The deer were plentiful; but the weather was cloudy, breezy, and morning temps in the upper teens to lower 20s.
Don't tell me that it don't get cold in Texas!!! Of course, I remember being outside on Christmas with no jacket on because it was so warm!
Oh, I plan to take the 39a out in a few more days. I found some .22 sub-sonics at WalMart about a week ago. Limit was 3 boxes of 50.
Fast Frank
Member
BUMP!
Fast Frank
Member
Bump again.
I found myself with some time to kill today, right across the freeway from Gander Mountain. So, I mosied on over to look see what's up with MiniMags. I knew there were none to be had at Wally World, and I really want to go shoot my model 39s someday.
I was quite surprised when I went inside.
Gander mountain pissed me off a couple years back with high prices and a few other things that rubbed me wrong, so I hadn't been in there in quite a while.
It seems that they have remodeled the whole place. Nothing was the same at all.
They used to have used guns out on display, where just anybody could handle the guns. No more. That's good. I saw a kid about ten years old in there one time just beating the bejesus out of a very nice old marlin 39 with the octagon barrel... pointing it at his little brother and going "pew pew pew" and banging the stock into everything in sight. Nobody seemed to care.
They used to have a huge ammo display, too.
Not any more. There's a small area where they have the usual stuff, and it's about half what was there before.
And in that smaller ammo display area, was not one single round of .22 rimfire of any description.
No MiniMags. No CB caps. No bulk boxes, No hollow points, No 40 grain round nose, No Stingers, No Golden Bullets, Nothing.
I'm getting worried, guys.
Just this last weekend, The news folks celebrated the One Year Anniversary of the Sandy Hook Massacre.
I think I have shot my rifles a grand total of twice in the entire year since then.
And I think I have put .22 ammo in the safe Four times. One or two boxes each time.
This dry gulch ammo situation has made it impossible for me to enjoy my Marlins!
I'm going to keep calm, and wait my way through the winter months.
And if I have to shoot the Valentine's Day Match all by my self with my last bullet that's how it's going to go.
But I sure hope it doesn't go that way. I want to shoot my Marlin 39s like I used to back when ammo was cheap and plentiful.
But that may be asking for a little too much.
I found myself with some time to kill today, right across the freeway from Gander Mountain. So, I mosied on over to look see what's up with MiniMags. I knew there were none to be had at Wally World, and I really want to go shoot my model 39s someday.
I was quite surprised when I went inside.
Gander mountain pissed me off a couple years back with high prices and a few other things that rubbed me wrong, so I hadn't been in there in quite a while.
It seems that they have remodeled the whole place. Nothing was the same at all.
They used to have used guns out on display, where just anybody could handle the guns. No more. That's good. I saw a kid about ten years old in there one time just beating the bejesus out of a very nice old marlin 39 with the octagon barrel... pointing it at his little brother and going "pew pew pew" and banging the stock into everything in sight. Nobody seemed to care.
They used to have a huge ammo display, too.
Not any more. There's a small area where they have the usual stuff, and it's about half what was there before.
And in that smaller ammo display area, was not one single round of .22 rimfire of any description.
No MiniMags. No CB caps. No bulk boxes, No hollow points, No 40 grain round nose, No Stingers, No Golden Bullets, Nothing.
I'm getting worried, guys.
Just this last weekend, The news folks celebrated the One Year Anniversary of the Sandy Hook Massacre.
I think I have shot my rifles a grand total of twice in the entire year since then.
And I think I have put .22 ammo in the safe Four times. One or two boxes each time.
This dry gulch ammo situation has made it impossible for me to enjoy my Marlins!
I'm going to keep calm, and wait my way through the winter months.
And if I have to shoot the Valentine's Day Match all by my self with my last bullet that's how it's going to go.
But I sure hope it doesn't go that way. I want to shoot my Marlin 39s like I used to back when ammo was cheap and plentiful.
But that may be asking for a little too much.
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